Learn about career advancement tactics, including navigating transitions, personal branding, and the importance of self-trust in professional settings.
Staying isn’t always strength, and walking away isn’t always failure. Sally J. Clarke, co-author of Walk Away: Step Out to Step Up , joins Lori Adams-Brown to unpack why high-performing leaders so often wait for a crisis before giving themselves permission to leave. Why a role can look right on paper, title, compensation, trajectory, while quietly stopping to fit, and how to tell a structural misalignment from a personal failure The story behind the research: 40+ interviews with women across fin...
What if the silence in your meetings has nothing to do with confidence and everything to do with culture? Organizational psychologist Neelu Kaur joins Lori Adams-Brown to decode the invisible operating systems shaping how professionals communicate, advocate for themselves, and lead across cultures and organizational hierarchies. IN THIS EPISODE: - What the "self-trust recession" is and why it matters for global leaders right now - The paradox at the heart of corporate America: individualistic so...
What happens when you spend 18 years building a company to $5 million in revenue across 80 countries, finally sell it, and then wake up with no idea who you are without it? Fiona Macaulay knows that moment intimately, and what she built from it is changing how thousands of accomplished women think about what comes next. In this episode, Lori Adams-Brown sits down with Fiona Macaulay, founder of The Wild Network, co-author of Aim High and Bounce Back, and creator of the Next Chapter Accelerator, ...
What if the life you have been imagining could actually begin somewhere else? At Move Abroad Con in San Diego, at the Hard Rock Hotel, Lori Adams-Brown stepped onto the conference floor to have three honest conversations with people living and breathing the conference about the expat life. Each one brought a different perspective. All three pointed to the same truth: the world is more open than most people think. Why people from all walks of life, and all stages of life, are reconsidering where ...
What happens to your identity when the system that formed you was built to erase it? In this deeply personal and clear-eyed conversation, New York Times bestselling author Tia Levings returns to A World of Difference with her new book, a survivor's guide that meets you wherever you are on the road to recovery. Whether you were raised in high-control religion, are navigating the aftermath of leaving, or are simply trying to understand why you still silence yourself in rooms where it feels unsafe...
What do you do when the title is gone, but the work isn't finished? In this solo episode, Lori Adams-Brown pulls back the curtain on the past six months: the beach day that changed everything, the blank bio she couldn't write, and the Italian word that finally gave shape to what she was building. This is the origin story of Brava Global Advisory , and a masterclass in the kind of self-leadership most leaders never talk about out loud. What you'll hear in this episode: The moment at Santa Cruz th...
What does it look like to build a life from scratch, not once, but again and again? Nuray Krein Yilmaz has done it more times than most people ever will, and her story is one of the most quietly extraordinary ones we've shared on this podcast.Nuray grew up in a small farming village in eastern Turkey, the eleventh of twelve siblings, in a community where girls' futures were largely pre-written. She lost both parents to cancer before she turned 13. She taught herself to dream inside boarding school libraries and across chess tournaments — and she never stopped.In 2018, she moved to the United States through a cultural exchange program with limited English, no safety net, and an enormous amount of courage. Today she is a content analyst in tech, a published author, and the founder of What If You Can — a community for people navigating immigration, grief, career transitions, and the question of whether they belong.
What do you do when the doors you’ve worked for keep closing because of factors you can’t control? In this episode, Rebeca Lopez Valerio shares how she turned “no” into fuel, built opportunities from scratch, and learned to lead with coraje, heart-forward courage rooted in identity, resilience, and values.Rebeca’s story is powerful and deeply human. Born in Mexico with Indigenous roots from the Oaxaca/Puebla region, she immigrated to the U.S. at age four and navigated life as a first-generation student, while also carrying the realities of being undocumented during key years of her education and career journey. Together, we talk about what it really takes to keep showing up when the stakes are high, and how community can be the difference between feeling stuck and finding your way forward.
Some conversations stay with us because they name what we’ve been living but haven’t had words for yet. This episode is one of those moments, a reminder that gratitude does not require us to deny our pain, and authenticity does not demand perfection. As we revisit this Thanksgiving message, one of the most downloaded and shared episodes of the year, Lori reflects on what it means to hold multiple truths at the same time . In a year marked by layoffs, uncertainty, grief, and global upheaval, this...
Ever started a new job and realized the “real work” isn’t just the work. It’s learning the culture, the decision-making rhythm, and what success actually looks like? In this re-released best-of conversation, Dr. Shweta Miglani breaks down the small, practical moves that help you ramp faster, build credibility, and grow your career without burning out.Dr. Miglani shares how her journey began in journalism, pivoted through learning science and instructional design, and expanded into global talent management and organizational development—supporting leaders across industries and countries. Together, we talk about what separates professionals who thrive quickly from those who stay stuck: proactive communication, stakeholder mapping, clear expectations, and learning how to lead with both strategy and humanity.You’ll hear actionable guidance for your first 90 days, how to make your one-on-ones count, and why emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence matter even more as AI tra…
As 2025 comes to a close, this episode is a love letter to difference makers everywhere—those navigating change, courage, career pivots, and complex workplaces. Lori Adams-Brown reflects on the books that shaped her thinking this year and deeply resonated with listeners across the globe. From leadership in the age of AI to psychological safety, toxic workplaces, courage, presence, and recovery after trauma, these books don’t just inform—they invite you to live and lead differently. Many of the a...
If you're feeling stuck in the same old thought patterns, journaling your heart out only to end up reliving the same pain, or you keep trying new workshops and self-help tricks but still feel disconnected from your creativity and sense of wonder, then you are not alone! If you’ve signed up for writing classes hoping for transformation but walk away feeling more self-critical instead, or you’re longing for a breakthrough but just keep hitting that emotional wall, then you are not alone! If you keep scrolling through inspirational posts and books, looking for that spark to reignite your resilience but end up feeling even more isolated, then you are not alone! If you find yourself craving deeper connection and authenticity but every attempt leaves you feeling misunderstood or too vulnerable, then you are not alone!
Ever heard these myths floating around about leadership and work-life balance? Myth #1: True leaders have to hustle nonstop to be successful. Myth #2: Burnout just means you’re not cut out for the job. Myth #3: Neuroplasticity is only for scientists—not something leaders can actually use. I’m about to spill the truth on how to flip these old stories on their head—so you can actually lead with clarity, energy, and a life that feels good. Ready for a totally different take? Stick around! In this e...
Are you ready to finally escape the soul-crushing grip of toxic bosses and workplaces for good? Imagine waking up on Monday actually excited for work, feeling confident you can spot the red flags before you ever get trapped again, and knowing exactly how to protect your peace (and your career) no matter who’s in charge. I’m breaking down the real-life strategies, warning signs, and support systems you need to get there—so you can stop surviving and start thriving, even if you’re not ready to quit just yet.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Pamela Donnelly, founder of the American Access Institute, as she shares her mission to support vulnerable teens, including those aging out of foster care. Discover how the Catapult platform is transforming lives through trauma-informed care, AI mentorship, and innovative partnerships. Key Highlights: Dr. Donnelly's journey from college admissions professional to ed-tech innovator. The impact of the Catapult platform on justice-involved youth and fo...
. If you're feeling exhausted from trying to process your third culture kid or MK experience—maybe you've already read memoirs, joined support groups, or tried to explain the complexity of evangelical politics to your friends, but still end up feeling misunderstood, unmoored, or even invisible, then you are not alone! If you've spent hours wrestling with the tension between your parents' good work and the darker sides of white evangelicalism, but instead of clarity, you get more tangled up in guilt or frustration, then you are not alone! If you've tried to fit your global perspective into conversations about Christian nationalism and end up hitting a wall of resistance, silence, or even shaming from your own community, then you are not alone! And if you've hoped that being resilient would be enough to heal the grief of never truly belonging anywhere, but find that the pain lingers no matter how many times you reinvent yourself, then you are not alone!
Does this sound familiar? You’ve been told to just keep grinding it out in your current job until the “right” opportunity magically appears, but all that’s gotten you is more stress, second-guessing, and the nagging feeling you’re wasting your potential. It sucks watching your energy drain away while your values get sidelined and you wonder if you’ll ever feel truly fulfilled at work. You deserve a career that’s actually aligned with who you are and the impact you want to make. Let’s talk about ...
Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a cycle of stress and burnout, despite following the traditional advice to just tough it out? The constant pressure and lack of results can be exhausting, leaving you feeling drained and unfulfilled. If this sounds familiar, it's time to break free from the ineffective methods of managing stress and discover a new approach that actually works. It's time to cultivate effective leadership skills through self-awareness and empathy, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life. Say goodbye to the cycle of stress and hello to a new way of thriving.
Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a cycle of stress and burnout, despite following the traditional advice to just tough it out? The constant pressure and lack of results can be exhausting, leaving you feeling drained and unfulfilled. If this sounds familiar, it's time to break free from the ineffective methods of managing stress and discover a new approach that actually works. It's time to cultivate effective leadership skills through self-awareness and empathy, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life. Say goodbye to the cycle of stress and hello to a new way of thriving.
Have you heard these common myths about impactful careers? Myth 1: You have to choose between making money and making a difference. Myth 2: Internships are only beneficial in the early stages of your career. Myth 3: Networking is overrated in the job search. I'll reveal the truth behind these myths, but trust me, it's not what you think. Stay tuned for a mind-blowing reality check. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover how to align your income with real-world impact for a purposeful car...
Have you ever heard the myths about achieving corporate board diversity? Let's debunk three common misconceptions: 1. There aren't enough qualified women for board positions. 2. Women need just one more qualification before they're ready for the board. 3. CEOs are the only suitable candidates for board seats. The truth behind these myths is eye-opening, and I'm here to share it with you.
Discover the unexpected journey of a powerhouse woman who defied cultural norms, navigated loss, and redefined success. From smashing glass ceilings in the biopharmaceutical world to overcoming the sudden death of her beloved husband, Samina Bari's story is a masterclass in resilience and self-discovery. But here's the twist: in the wake of personal tragedy, she's now on a mission to revolutionize how we approach grief and loss. Her forthcoming book promises a practical and profoundly insightful...
Feeling overwhelmed at work? This conversation will open your eyes to a whole new approach to company culture and leadership. Discover how to lead with clarity, fight for better workplace environments, and keep your humanity intact. Join us as we dive deep into the wisdom of Tamesa Rogers, a powerhouse in tech who spent 25 years building global teams and shifting company cultures. You'll be amazed by her insights and empowered to make a difference in your own workplace. Stay tuned for the exclusive deep dive with Tamesa on our Patreon community. This is the conversation you didn't know you needed.In this episode, you will be able to:Cultivate a Positive Company Culture: Discover the secrets to fostering an uplifting and motivating work environment that drives success.Navigate Successful Career Pivots: Uncover the strategies to pivot your career path and achieve fulfillment in your professional life.Lead Global Teams Effectively: Master the art of leading international team…
If you're feeling stuck in your career, wondering why you're not getting the recognition you deserve, and feeling overwhelmed by the ever-changing work landscape, then you are not alone! Let's unpack these challenges and find the solutions together.
